Opening Prayer: Almighty God, You have promised never to leave me or forsake me. Please draw to mind your promises as I go through periods in my life when I am apt to forget that truth. Amen.

Read: Deuteronomy 31:1-8

Reflect: At the end of the Exodus experience, Moses spoke these words to the people of Israel. Why do you think he had to remind them that God had promised never to leave them or forsake them? How did the transition from wilderness wandering to possessing the Promised Land change the people’s perspective on God’s presence with them? What points in life do we need to be reminded of God’s promise not to forsake us?

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself.

Hymn: “Lead On, O King Eternal”
Lead on, O King Eternal.
The day of march is come.
Hence-forth in fields of conquest
Thy tents shall be our home.
Through days of preparation
Thy grace has made us strong;
And now, O King Eternal,
We lift our battle song.

Lead on, O King Eternal,
Till sin’s fierce war shall cease,
And holiness shall whisper
The sweet amen of peace.
For not with swords’ loud slashing,
Nor roll of stirring drums;
With deeds of love and mercy,
The heavenly kingdom comes.

Lead on, O King Eternal.
We follow, not with fears;
For gladness breaks like morning
Wherever Thy face appears.
Thy cross is lifted over us;
We journey in its light.
The crown awaits the conquest;
Lead on, O God of might.

Closing Prayer: Finally, bretheren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. (Philippians 4:8 NASB)